Havana, March 13 (RHC-PL) -- The Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for the Friendship with Foreign Countries, Xie Yuan, praised the relations between Cuba and China during his visit to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) in Havana.

"Our two peoples will celebrate next September the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a climate of friendliness and understanding," said Yuan, who is visiting Havana following ICAP's invitation.

In her welcoming address, ICAP president Kenia Serrano thanked the Chinese government for its support of the Cuban people's struggle for sovereignty and against the US blockade.

Meanwhile, Yuan extended an invitation to Cuban representatives to attend the forum on China-Latin American relations to be held in China next September. He stressed that both institutions should maintain close relations due to the political closeness between governments and the historical friendship ties between both nations.

Yuan also called to improve economic, political and cultural relations, adding that China is really interested in expanding tourism to Cuba and other regions in the continent.